Two tales of order, disorder

In reply to Ruth Kihm’s article addressing the spin on the insensitivity of Rep. Rick Berg, R-N.D., in his comments about the Minot flood:

This is not an endorsement of Berg but a clarification of the facts in the debate concerning rational and intellectual order on the contrast and comparison that is obvious.

If Kihm would have done her research or homework on the New Orleans spirit and intellectual disorder, she would have found many discrepancies in the state government’s decisions that effected the amount of damage in New Orleans.

Some call it corruption in New Orleans; others call it just an unfortunate incident. Conclusions without facts. Two different perspectives on the ordeal.

Then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco didn’t call up the National Guard until after the fact. People blamed President George W. Bush for that, but he couldn’t make the decision because of the rule of posse comitatus. States’ rights had precedent.

It appeared that New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who had a degree in accounting, had school buses and other vehicles at his disposal, but the school buses were in such disrepair they could not be used. So much for concern for the elderly of New Orleans.

The newspapers in New Orleans brought this to the public’s attention and made the point that Nagin never forced an evacuation as Hurricane Ivan threatened the city, but suggested if people stay, they should put an ax in their attic. Good suggestion, yet no evacuation notice.

These cities manage budgets differently. One city council and mayor (Minot) use intellectual order, while the other city commission (New Orleans) uses intellectual disorder or corruption as an excuse; mainly it’s someone else’s fault.

Both state governments exercise volition, or a certain type of will and intelligence, yet one operates in good faith, concern and order

and the other in the way evil works.

There was little looting that I heard of in Minot. Yet in New Orleans, there was a rash of it. Contrasting and comparing is a good thing, which we all need to do in our debate on these subjects. This comparing means there are rights and wrongs in how governments work.

When New Orleans’ books were opened, they found money from the federal government (taxpayer money) that was intended for police officer positions but was not used for such; about 800 police officers were phantom officers. Isn’t that strange, or simply how evil works? Corruption and diversion of taxpayer money to heaven only knows where. This money could have been used to repair the buses that lay idle and were never used, and saved hundreds of lives.

Do I think Berg ought to apologize? NO! He did his contrasting and comparison with the good folks of North Dakota compared to other states and how they’ve handled their tragedies and Mother Nature’s wrath.

North Dakota has some wonderful people who help each other out, and we have a state that has a balanced budget, with no phantom police officers on the rolls. Kudos to any Democrat or Republican who gives credit to North Dakota for its spirit, its stick-to-itiveness and its moral tenacity. We are a great state run by great statesmen.

The above criteria are how I made my judgments and came to my conclusions on the difference concerning what is intellectual disorder and intellectual order. I stand by those criteria reference points.